Transportation & Parking

Bus Transportation

The district provides bus transportation to and from school for all students living 1.5 miles or more from the school. A list of bus stops will be published at the beginning of the school year, before student registration. Parents must, at the beginning of the school year, select one bus stop at which a student is to be picked up and one stop at which a student is to be dropped off. Students are not permitted to ride a bus other than the bus to which they are assigned. Exceptions must be approved in advance by the building principal.

While students are on the bus, they are under the supervision of the bus driver. In most cases, bus discipline problems can be handled by the bus driver. In the case of a written disciplinary referral, student bus problems will be investigated and handled by the building principal.

Students are expected to follow all school rules while on the bus. Students may be suspended from riding the school bus for up to 10 consecutive school days for violating school rules or for engaging in other gross disobedience or misconduct. The school board may suspend the student from riding the school bus for a period in excess of 10 days for safety reasons. The district’s regular suspension procedures shall be used to suspend a student’s privilege to ride a school bus.

A student who is suspended from riding the school bus and who does not have alternative transportation to school shall be allowed the opportunity to make up all missed work for equivalent academic credit. It is the responsibility of the student’s parent or guardian to notify the school that the student does not have alternative transportation to school.

In the interest of the student’s safety and in compliance with State law, students are also expected to observe the following:

1. Dress properly for the weather. Make sure all drawstrings, ties, straps, etc. on all clothing, backpacks and other items, are shortened or removed to lessen the likelihood of them getting caught in bus doors, railings or aisles.
2. Arrive on time at the bus stop, and stay away from the street while waiting for the bus.
3. Stay away from the bus until it stops completely and the driver signals you to board. Enter in single file without pushing. Always use the handrail.
4. Take a seat right away and remain seated facing forward. Keep your hands, arms, and head inside the bus.
5. Talk quietly on the bus. No shouting or creating loud noises that may distract the driver. Tablets, iPods®, iPads®, smart phones, and other electronic devices must be silenced on the bus unless a student uses headphones.
6. Help keep the bus neat and clean. Keep belongings out of the aisle and away from emergency exits. Eating and drinking are not allowed on the bus.
7. Always listen to the driver’s instructions. Be courteous to the driver and other students. Sit with your hands to yourself and avoid making noises that would distract the driver or bother other passengers. Remain seated, keeping your hands, arms, and head inside the bus at all times.
8. Wait until the bus pulls to a complete stop before standing up. Use the handrail when exiting the bus.
9. Stay out of the danger zone next to the bus where the driver may have difficulty seeing you. Take five giant steps away from the bus and out of the danger zone, until you can see the driver and the driver sees you. Never crawl under a bus.
10. If you must cross the street after you get off the bus, wait for the driver’s signal and then cross in front of the bus. Cross the street only after checking both ways for traffic.
11. Never run back to the bus, even if you dropped or forgot something.

Video and audio cameras may be active on buses to record student conduct and may be used for the purposes of investigation into misconduct or accidents on the bus.

For questions regarding school transportation issues, contact the business office at 847.299.1900.

Bus Conduct

Students are expected to follow all school rules when riding the school bus. A student may be suspended from riding the bus for up to 10 consecutive school days for engaging in gross disobedience or misconduct, including but not limited to, the following:

1. Violating any school rule or school district policy.
2. Willful injury or threat of injury to a bus driver or to another rider.
3. Willful and/or repeated defacement of the bus.
4. Repeated use of profanity.
5. Repeated willful disobedience of a directive from a bus driver or other supervisor.
6. Such other behavior as the building principal deems to threaten the safe operation of the bus and/or its occupants.

If a student is suspended from riding the bus for gross disobedience or misconduct on a bus, the School Board may suspend the student from riding the school bus for a period in excess of 10 days for safety reasons.

A student suspended from riding the bus who does not have alternate transportation to school shall have the opportunity to complete or make up work for equivalent academic credit. It shall be the responsibility of the student’s parent or guardian to notify the school that the student does not have alternate transportation.

The Release of Kindergarten Students

If releasing a kindergartener at a stop would cause the child to be alone or stranded, the driver will keep the child on the bus until the end of the route and attempt to drop the student off again. The driver will contact the bus company office to contact the parent/guardian. If the driver is unable to drop off the child, the driver will return the child to the school office or, if no supervisor is available there, to the Educational Service Center or the local police station.

For questions regarding school transportation, contact Business Services at 847-299-1900.

Parking

Each school has locations available for school visitor parking. Vehicles MAY NOT be parked or located in the bus lanes or fire lanes at ANY TIME. Bus lanes and fire lanes are marked. Vehicles located in these locations may be ticketed and/or towed by the police.

Vehicle Barriers

Vehicle barriers will be placed where the presence of traffic would put the safety of our students and staff in peril. The District has given permission to local law enforcement to issue citations (tickets) on our property to individuals disobeying signs and maneuvering around vehicle barriers.